editorNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Cheryl Corley is an NPR correspondent who works for the National Desk and is based in Chicago. She travels throughout the Midwest covering issues and events throughout the region's 12 states.In recent years, Corley has reported on the campaign and re-election of President Barack Obama, on the efforts by Illinois officials to rethink the state's Juvenile Justice System, on youth violence in Chicago, and on political turmoil in the Illinois state government. She's reported on the infamous Trayvon Martin shooting case in Florida and covered tornadoes that have destroyed homes and claimed lives in Harrisburg, Illinois; small towns in Oklahoma; and Joplin, Missouri.In addition, Corley was among the group of NPR reporters covering the devastation caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita as they tore through the Gulf Coast. She returned to the area, five years later, and joined the reporting team covering the impact of the BP oil spill. Corley also has served as a fill-in host for NPR shows,NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Cheryl CorleyWed, 16 Nov 2016 07:45:17 +0000Cheryl Corleyhttp://wkar.org
Cheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit MCEVERS, HOST: Demonstrators have been out in force all across the country today protesting the completion of the Dakota Access Pipeline. The federal government halted construction of the pipeline yesterday, saying it needed to study it more. And today the company building the pipeline has gone to court in an effort to finish the project. NPR's Cheryl Corley is with us from Bismarck, N.D. Hi there, Cheryl. CHERYL CORLEY, BYLINE: Hi. How are you? MCEVERS: Good. So tell us. What are the protesters - what are they saying that they want? CORLEY: Well, you know, this is a protest that has been going on for quite a while now. And what they want essentially is for the pipeline to be stopped, for it not to exist. And it's all about water, oil and heritage. The Dakota Access Pipeline would run through four states. It would hook up to an existing pipeline in Illinois. And the company building it, Energy Transfer, says the pipeline is just a more efficientDemonstrations Continue At The Dakota Access Pipelinehttp://wkar.org/post/demonstrations-continue-dakota-access-pipeline
94216 as http://wkar.orgTue, 15 Nov 2016 21:51:00 +0000Demonstrations Continue At The Dakota Access PipelineCheryl CorleyIt will be a night of tension and hope for baseball fans in Chicago when the Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers play Game 6 of the National League Championship Series on Saturday.If the Cubs win, they will move on to the World Series to face the American League champion Cleveland Indians. It will be a step closer to fulfilling a wish of a faithful fan, 101-year-old Virginia Wood.Wearing a Cubs T-shirt and surrounded by family, Wood was ready for baseball Thursday night when the Cubs and Dodgers took to the field. Her wheelchair not far from the television, the former physical education teacher knew what she wanted to see from her team."I just want to be sure they get the first run," Wood says. "I really do. I think it makes a difference."And the Chicago Cubs did not disappoint — scoring in the first inning.Wood attended her first Cubs game at Chicago's Wrigley Field in 1924. She was 10 years old. As an adult, she would go as often as she could, especially with friends after work on "Ladies101-Year-Old Chicago Cubs Fan Hopes Beloved Team Grants Her Birthday Wishhttp://wkar.org/post/101-year-old-chicago-cubs-fan-hopes-beloved-team-grants-her-birthday-wish
93161 as http://wkar.orgFri, 21 Oct 2016 23:13:00 +0000101-Year-Old Chicago Cubs Fan Hopes Beloved Team Grants Her Birthday WishCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.Co-Founder Of Chess Records, Phil Chess, Dies At 95http://wkar.org/post/co-founder-chess-records-phil-chess-dies-95
93075 as http://wkar.orgThu, 20 Oct 2016 11:55:00 +0000Co-Founder Of Chess Records, Phil Chess, Dies At 95Cheryl CorleyIn an effort to heal the fractured relationship between the Chicago Police Department and city residents, the city council voted to approve a new police oversight agency, but some critics say the new agency isn't a solution to the problems facing the community.The police oversight agency investigates police misconduct cases, but after the Independent Police Review Authority reviewed hundreds of cases and rarely found the police officers at fault and last year's release of a video showing a white officer fatally shooting a black teenager caused national uproar, the agency is getting an overhaul.Policing the policeThe video showed Chicago police officer Jason Van Dyke shooting 17-year-old Laquan McDonald 16 times. The case prompted big changes including the murder charges against Van Dyke, an investigation by the Justice Department and the city's internal effort to police the department. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel says there have already been a lot of improvements made to help keepChicago City Council Approves Oversight Agency To Police The Policehttp://wkar.org/post/chicago-city-council-approves-police-oversight-agency
92570 as http://wkar.orgThu, 06 Oct 2016 23:10:00 +0000Chicago City Council Approves Oversight Agency To Police The PoliceCheryl CorleyEach of the photos in Capt. William A. Prickitt's album could fit in a locket: headshots of 17 black soldiers who served under the Union Army officer during the Civil War, most of their names handwritten on the mat surrounding the images.At just 2 inches tall, the square, leather-bound album itself could be easily misplaced among the more than 35,000 artifacts it will join at the Smithsonian's new National Museum of African American History and Culture when it opens this week in Washington, D.C.Its size belies its historical importance: It's a rare instance of original photographs of African-American soldiers whose identity is documented."That's pretty rare," says Michele Gates Moresi, a curator at the museum. "And to have a group from the same regiment with that information. There are images of African-American soldiers with their troops that are available. Some of them are panoramic. We have a couple in our collection, but you don't always know who's who."The photo album stayed inFamily Heirloom, National Treasure: Rare Photos Show Black Civil War Soldiershttp://wkar.org/post/family-heirloom-national-treasure-rare-photos-show-black-civil-war-soldiers
91996 as http://wkar.orgWed, 21 Sep 2016 20:30:00 +0000Family Heirloom, National Treasure: Rare Photos Show Black Civil War SoldiersCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.50 Years Ago, Martin Luther King Jr. Fought For Open Housing In Chicagohttp://wkar.org/post/50-years-ago-martin-luther-king-jr-fought-open-housing-chicago
91087 as http://wkar.orgMon, 29 Aug 2016 20:35:00 +000050 Years Ago, Martin Luther King Jr. Fought For Open Housing In ChicagoCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.Unrest And Protest In Milwaukee After Police Shootinghttp://wkar.org/post/unrest-and-protest-milwaukee-after-police-shooting
90447 as http://wkar.orgSun, 14 Aug 2016 21:25:00 +0000Unrest And Protest In Milwaukee After Police ShootingCheryl CorleyTacarra Morgan lives in a big two-story, A-frame house that sits next to an empty, grassy corner lot on Chicago's South Side.On a sunny afternoon earlier in July, gunfire broke out while the 6-year-old sat on the porch with her grandmother and her mother, Carolyn Morris."All l I know, bullets starting coming from that way. I didn't see who was shooting," Morris says. "I didn't see anything and my daughter is so strong, I didn't even know she was shot."They all ran in the house; all Tacarra said was that her stomach hurt, her mother recalls."I raised her shirt," says Morris, "her stomach was gushing out nothing but her intestines."This year, shootings have been on the rise in several cities across the country; at least 370 children in the United States — 12 years old or younger — have been harmed or killed by gunfire so far this year, according to the non-profit Gun Violence Archive, which collects gun violence data daily.Accidents like kids playing with guns, and domestic disputes,More And More Children Fall Victim As Street Shootings Spike In Chicagohttp://wkar.org/post/children-fall-victim-street-shootings-rise-chicago
89889 as http://wkar.orgMon, 01 Aug 2016 09:12:00 +0000More And More Children Fall Victim As Street Shootings Spike In ChicagoCheryl CorleyIn churches across the country, pastors, priests and other religious leaders will talk to a nation still reeling from this past week's fatal shootings of two black men by police officers and the death of five police officers slain by a lone gunman. People often turn to faith during times of crisis — attending services and listening to sermons.The Rev. Jacqueline King, pastor of the all-white First United Methodist Church outside Baton Rouge, La., says there's been so much anger and fear and so many protests over the shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minn., and the five police officers in Dallas, that we should follow the lead of 18th-century theologian John Wesley."It's time to start looking at our souls," says King, "not only the individual soul, but the soul of our country and congregation. You know, we are not well at this time."At Wesley United Methodist Church, an all-black church in Baton Rouge, the Rev. Dr. Joe Connelly says there'sAs Country Reels From Violent Week, Clergies Offer Messages Of Healinghttp://wkar.org/post/country-reels-violent-week-clergies-prepare-messages-healing
88885 as http://wkar.orgSun, 10 Jul 2016 16:31:00 +0000As Country Reels From Violent Week, Clergies Offer Messages Of HealingCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.Abner Mikva, Former Illinois Congressman And Obama Mentor, Dieshttp://wkar.org/post/abner-mikva-former-illinois-congressman-and-obama-mentor-dies
88680 as http://wkar.orgTue, 05 Jul 2016 20:53:00 +0000Abner Mikva, Former Illinois Congressman And Obama Mentor, DiesCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.Attorney General Loretta Lynch Meets With Victims, Police In Orlandohttp://wkar.org/post/attorney-general-loretta-lynch-meets-victims-police-orlando
88099 as http://wkar.orgTue, 21 Jun 2016 20:30:00 +0000Attorney General Loretta Lynch Meets With Victims, Police In OrlandoCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit http://www.npr.org/.Autopsy Report: Prince Died Of An Accidental Overdosehttp://wkar.org/post/autopsy-report-prince-died-accidental-overdose
87323 as http://wkar.orgFri, 03 Jun 2016 09:08:00 +0000Autopsy Report: Prince Died Of An Accidental OverdoseCheryl CorleyTiny homes, which can be as little as 50 to 300 square feet, are growing in popularity as a solution for the homeless. In Chicago, advocates want to build tiny houses to serve a specific marginalized group — homeless youth, especially those who identify as LGBTQ."Most of the cities in the country that have already implemented housing tiny homes for the homeless are doing it for the chronically homeless or veterans, so no one yet is doing it specifically for the youth target population," says activist Tracy Baim, who spearheaded a Chicago Tiny Home Summit April 18-19 at the University of Illinois at Chicago.Baim says tiny homes could provide freestanding independent housing instead of what is typically available for young adults seeking shelter."They're living in group homes, where shared showers, where violence and sexual assaults can happen," she says. "Your stuff is stolen constantly."The summit, which aimed to discuss the practicalities and experiences of building tiny houses,As A Guerrilla Movement, Tiny Homes May Emerge As Alternative To Sheltershttp://wkar.org/post/guerrilla-movement-tiny-homes-may-emerge-alternative-shelters
86097 as http://wkar.orgWed, 04 May 2016 09:06:00 +0000As A Guerrilla Movement, Tiny Homes May Emerge As Alternative To SheltersCheryl CorleyChicago's North Broadway Street is always bustling, but in the past few weeks, it has been noisier than ever. There is water flowing from an open fire hydrant, and as traffic inches by, a cement truck backs up and pours concrete down into a big hole in the street."Well, we always say there's two seasons: either winter and construction," says Maureen Martino, the executive director of the Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce. This water main upgrade is only the beginning; Martino says the city has plenty more scheduled for the area this year."When we took a look at the water mains, what they pulled out, this week over on Broadway and see how old they look, and how crumbling and what the new water mains look like, you'll see the need is there," Martino says.It's part of the city's sweeping plan to update and replace miles of the city's aging water lines that was announced four years ago. But while there has been praise about the long-overdue new infrastructure, there has also been criticismChicago's Upgrades To Aging Water Lines May Disturb Lead Pipeshttp://wkar.org/post/chicagos-upgrades-aging-water-lines-may-disturb-lead-pipes
85249 as http://wkar.orgThu, 14 Apr 2016 08:59:00 +0000Chicago's Upgrades To Aging Water Lines May Disturb Lead PipesCheryl CorleyIt was a controversial move when Madison, Wis., decided to replace all its lead pipes in 2001. But that decision put the city ahead of the curve — allowing it to avoid the lead water contamination that is plaguing cities like Flint, Mich., now.Madison started using copper instead of lead water pipes in the late 1920s. The bulk of the lead lines were located in the older part of the city, which is downtown near Wisconsin's state Capitol.Sue Bauman, the city's mayor from 1997 to 2003, lives there now."I remember one day, one of my mayoral aides came in and said he had met with the water utility and there was this issue about these lead pipes, and I'm like, 'What?' " Bauman says.EPA released its lead and copper rule in 1991, setting limits on the concentration of lead and copper in drinking water. A year after that, the city's water utility learned that 10 percent of the samples from the city's water showed higher levels of lead than the EPA allowed. That was also the case five yearsAvoiding A Future Crisis, Madison Removed Lead Water Pipes 15 Years Agohttp://wkar.org/post/avoiding-future-crisis-madison-removed-lead-water-pipes-15-years-ago
84646 as http://wkar.orgThu, 31 Mar 2016 21:27:00 +0000Avoiding A Future Crisis, Madison Removed Lead Water Pipes 15 Years AgoCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: In Chicago, one thing is clear. Whoever is chosen as the next police superintendent will face big hurdles. The former superintendent lost his job after protesters took to the streets over the police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Today, the city's police board announced the three finalists for the job. NPR's Cheryl Corley reports.CHERYL CORLEY, BYLINE: The head of Chicago's Police Board Lori Lightfoot says during this surge, residents got a chance to talk about their concerns about the police at public hearings. Lightfoot says the board focused on selecting candidates who could rebuild trust.(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)LORI LIGHTFOOT: We have to have a leader who understands that engaging and embracing the community in an incredibly respectful way has to be every bit as important as fighting crime in those neighborhoods.CORLEY: Three finalists were chosen from 39 applicants. They are Eugene Williams, a deputyChicago Considers 3 Finalists To Lead Ailing Police Departmenthttp://wkar.org/post/chicago-considers-3-finalists-lead-ailing-police-department
84034 as http://wkar.orgThu, 17 Mar 2016 20:29:00 +0000Chicago Considers 3 Finalists To Lead Ailing Police DepartmentCheryl CorleyThe once routine practice of getting a glass of water before a restaurant meal in Flint, Mich., is now fraught with apprehension, since lead pipes started leaching into the drinking water after officials switched to the highly corrosive Flint River as the city's water supply.The crisis over lead-contaminated water has touched every aspect of life in Flint, and for restaurants, it could not have come at a worse time. In the past few years, restaurants have been resurging, especially in downtown Flint. Now, they are trying to recoup lost business and convince leery customers that their water is safe.Flint switched back to Lake Huron for its drinking water late last year. But despite the ongoing testing for lead, city and state officials say it's time to go on the offense in regard to restaurants.George Wilkinson, vice president for the Flint Tests Say The Water Is Safe. But Flint's Restaurants Still Struggle http://wkar.org/post/tests-say-water-safe-flints-restaurants-still-struggle
83597 as http://wkar.orgTue, 08 Mar 2016 22:01:00 +0000Tests Say The Water Is Safe. But Flint's Restaurants Still Struggle Cheryl CorleyMore than a year ago, 18-year-old Michael Brown's death in a police shooting roiled the small town of Ferguson, Mo., and sparked nationwide protests. Recovery and negotiations have been going on since then, but residents have different ideas about how the city should move forward.Next week, a negotiated settlement between the city and the Justice Department overhauling the department's practices will come up for a city council vote.Ferguson residents such as Blake Ashby argued during a public hearing this week that the costs of the proposed agreement will put Ferguson at risk."If we sign this deal, we have to dis-incorporate Ferguson down the road because we will not financially be able to meet the terms of this agreement," Ashby says.On the other hand, Michael McMillan, president of the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, is focused on rebuilding the city after the riots. A Community Empowerment Center will be built by minority and female contractors in an empty lot that used toOn Road To Recovery, Ferguson Residents Have Different Ideashttp://wkar.org/post/road-recovery-ferguson-residents-have-different-ideas
82121 as http://wkar.orgThu, 04 Feb 2016 23:25:00 +0000On Road To Recovery, Ferguson Residents Have Different IdeasCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit AUDIE CORNISH, HOST: For more than seven months, there's been a budget impasse in Illinois, and there's no sign of Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner and Democratic lawmakers coming to terms. Today, in his State of the State address, Rauner called for serious negotiation, but made little mention of the state's financial crisis. NPR's Cheryl Corley reports.CHERYL CORLEY, BYLINE: Education, criminal justice reforms and other issues were the focus in Gov. Rauner's State of the State address. It wasn't until the very end that he talked briefly about the shadow that's loomed over Illinois for months - the stalemate over a budget crisis that's caused deep cuts in social service programs, layoffs and a struggle for both public universities and thousands of students as they wait for state grants.(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)BRUCE RAUNER: All of us in this chamber had a difficult year together in 2015, as we debated a budget with structural reform. But it isIllinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Overlooks Budget Crisis In State Of The State Speechhttp://wkar.org/post/illinois-gov-bruce-rauner-overlooks-budget-crisis-state-state-speech
81771 as http://wkar.orgWed, 27 Jan 2016 21:13:00 +0000Illinois Gov. Bruce Rauner Overlooks Budget Crisis In State Of The State SpeechCheryl CorleyCopyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit ROBERT SIEGEL, HOST: From crumbling infrastructure to community policing, many of the nation's toughest challenges confront the country's mayors. And many of them are in Washington at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. As they focused on public safety today, there was a surprise. Protesters called for one of them to resign. NPR's Cheryl Corley reports.CHERYL CORLEY, BYLINE: Surrounded by her colleagues, Baltimore mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, the head of the conference, said it was a moment for the mayors to call on the presidential candidates and Congress to invest and protect cities. To invest, she said, by helping to replace worn-out infrastructure.STEPHANIE RAWLINGS-BLAKE: And protect means a federal partnership to support the mayors, our police chiefs and our police departments as we work together to have modern, humane community policing that will protect our people who live in our cities.CORLEY: Call it a surreal moment. As Rawlings-BlakeBlack Lives Matter Protesters Crash U.S. Conference Of Mayors Meetinghttp://wkar.org/post/black-lives-matter-protesters-crash-us-conference-mayors-meeting
81467 as http://wkar.orgWed, 20 Jan 2016 22:16:00 +0000Black Lives Matter Protesters Crash U.S. Conference Of Mayors Meeting